Clinton Speechwriter: Obama Gave ‘One Of The Most Expansively Progressive Inaugural Addresses

Clinton Speechwriter: Obama Gave ‘One Of The Most Expansively Progressive Inaugural Addresses In Decades’

In an interview with the Washington Post's Greg Sargent, Michael Waldman, chief speechwriter under former President Bill Clinton, praised the progressive vision outlined in President Barack Obama's second inaugural address Monday.

“The greatest progressive arguments throughout the country’s history have been rooted in the language of the Declaration of Independence,” Waldman said. “This speech was really rooted in that tradition.”

In fact, Waldman said Obama's speech amounted to one of the most progressive inaugural speeches in several years.

“This was the most philosophically clear of any of his major speeches, and one of the most expansively progressive Inaugural Addresses in decades,” Waldman said. “And he rooted those arguments in the civic creed of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution."

4. Now to see if he backs it up with progressive proposals

5. He will. Some will be adopted. Others will not.

We can, if we have the will, give him a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives in 2014. That would go a long way toward accomplishing his and our goals. It won't be easy, though, and the time to start is right now. That is our contribution, if we will make it.

6. He gives great speeches.

I'm reserving my praise though when I start seeing words transpire into attempts at actions. I know he has to fight opposition but I'd like to see more positive steps in factual attempts at reform rather than words.